Exploring Canada: Things to See and Do in Quebec
Quebec City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada, consistently ranking in the top 10 visited cities within the country. Thousands of tourists visit this city to enjoy its picturesque gardens, historical parks, and architectural magic.
Quebec itself is a feast for the eyes all year round, whether it be filled with colorful blooms in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, or a thick blanket of white snow in the winter when the city’s numerous outdoor ice skating rinks become popular.
Walking through the cobblestone streets, you’ll see colonial houses on every corner and get a distinctly French feel no matter where you end up. This is just a glimpse of what Old Quebec looks like. It’s often said that the architecture speaks of the city’s story. Let’s take a look at a few of the top things to see and do in Quebec, Canada.
Plains of Abraham in Battlefields Park
This is Canada’s first national historic park, a sprawling property of 98 hectares. It was on this historic site that the famous battle known as the Battle of the Plains of Abraham took place. This battle was the culmination of a 3-month siege by British forces during the Seven Years’ War which was fought between 1756 and 1763.
The park hosts numerous beautiful gardens and a symbolic statue of Joan of Arc as a memoir to the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. It is such an important landmark in Canadian history, because the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, and the subsequent capture of Quebec, cemented British victory. France would go on to cede nearly all of their North American territories to the United Kingdom.
Aside from the great historical importance of Battlefields Park, there are numerous great festivals held on-site. One of these is the annual music festival known as “Festival d’été de Québec”, which is a musical festival held over 11 days in the beginning of July. A great number of popular worldwide artists make up the lineup including everything from hip-hop to heavy metal bands.
Photo By: Michel Rathwell/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0
Casino de Montreal
Located about 15 minutes drive from downtown Montreal, this casino on the Ile Notre-Dame is not only the largest in Quebec, it is one of the grandest casinos in the entire world. It’s pretty hard to miss, especially since the casino is brightly lit up like a jewel at night, offering loads of entertainment and activities for gamblers and non-gamblers alike.
At the Casino de Montreal, you’ll find notable musicians regularly performing concerts, numerous exclusive restaurants, three different bars, a cabaret show, and much much more.
As for the choice of casino games, you’ll find all the classic casino table games and over 3,000 slot machines to entertain you. There’s also an area called “The Zone”, which is an ambient gaming room using rows of terminals, a live host, and explosions of sound and color for an unforgettable and unique experience.
The only place you could possibly find more slot machines while traveling around Quebec would be at an online casino like Casumo, which offers exclusive bonuses to players using the Canadian website.
Photo By: Mario Hains/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0
Petit-Champlain & Place-Royale
Claimed to be the oldest commercial district in North America, Petit-Champlain is located near Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires Church in Quebec City. It is especially charming during the winter, with its cobblestone streets and 17th century buildings. You will find over 50 shops and restaurants here. It’s a must-visit for anyone who wants to explore the city’s art scene, grabbing a coffee at one of the local cafes along the way and simply taking in the area’s historical charm.
Place Royale is home to the Roman Catholic church Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. Construction of this church dates back to the 17th century, making it is one of the oldest churches in North America. While walking around Place Royale, you’ll also encounter the Fresque des Québécois mural, a gigantic mural that features numerous important historical figures of Quebec City including the explorers Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain, both of which mapped and created colonies in northeastern North America.
Photo Courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0
Montmorency Falls Park
An impressive roughly 275 foot waterfall on the Montmorency River, Montmorency Falls is nearly 100 feet taller than the much more famously known Niagara Falls. There are staircases provided for tourists to observe the waterfall from multiple angles, allowing you to get the perfect shot for your personal Instagram feed. For those not as mobile or simply wishing to avoid steps, an aerial tram is provided to carry passengers between the base and top of the falls. Interestingly, the waterfall emits a faint yellow glow during the summer months, due to a high concentration of iron content.
Photo Courtesy of: Pixabay
